Literature Connections to
Hide A Butterfly

The following books look at a butterflys lifestyle and
life cycle, as well as showing how many animals use camouflage
and other defensive coloration for protection. Language is encouraged
in stories and rhymes that challenge children to go on a nature
hunt with animals that are hidden in realistic and fantasy settings.
To introduce the topic of butterflies, you may want to use the
books that present the flower or meadow habitat of a butterfly
through beautiful illustrations and verse.
Comparing defenses of other animals is highlighted in two fantasy
books about chameleons who use their ability to change color to
their advantage.

The Butterfly Hunt by Yoshi
Picture Book Studio, Saxonville, Massachusetts. 1990
Grades: Preschool2 A boy pursues and captures elusive butterflies, but decides
it is more fun to carry home memories than a trophy. He sets the
butterfly free, forever and ever the butterfly was his very
own. Beautiful full-color illustrations of a wide variety
of butterflies. Return to title list.

Chameleon Was a Spy by Diane R. Massie
Scholastic, New York. 1979
Grades: K5 Chameleon uses his ability to change colors to help the Pleasant
Pickle Company get back their secret recipe from the competitors
who stole it! Return to title list.

The Flower Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta; illustrated by Leslie Evans
Quinlan Press, Boston. 1988
Grades: Preschool2 Beautiful, scientifically precise alphabet picture book showing
many varieties of flowers and plants. A good early primary accompaniment
to the meadows ideas and the activities relating to nectar, pollen,
and flowers in Buzzing a Hive.Return to title list.

The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars adapted by Jean Merrill; illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Philomel Books/Putnam & Grosset, New York. 1992
Grades: 26Izumi loves caterpillars but wonders Why do people make
such a fuss about butterflies and pay no attention to the creatures
from which butterflies come? It is caterpillars that are really
interesting! Izumi is interested in the original nature
of things, and in doing things naturally. This book, at
a somewhat higher age level than the Hide a Butterfly activities,
could be read out loud to younger children, adapted as needed
to their vocabulary and level of understanding. An excellent portrayal
of an independent-thinking female role model. Return to title list.

How to Hide a Butterfly and Other Insects
by Ruth Heller
Grosset & Dunlap, New York. 1985
Grades: Preschool3 Written in rhyme, this beautifully illustrated book describes
and shows how insects camouflage themselves and are often out
of view, although theyre right in front of you. Return to title list.

How to Hide a Polar Bear and Other Mammals
by Ruth Heller
Grosset & Dunlap, New York. 1985
Grades: Preschool3Go on a nature hunt to find the camouflaged polar bear, deer,
zebra and other handsome mammals hiding in the brilliantly illustrated
pages of this book.Return to title list.

The Lamb and the Butterfly by Arnold Sundgaard; illustrated by Eric Carle
Orchard Books, New York. 1988
Grades: K3 A protected lamb and an independent butterfly discuss their
different ways of living. Spirited introduction to the concept
of diversity and acceptance of differences.Return to title list.

Lizard in the Sun by Joanne Ryder; illustrated by Michael Rothman
William Morrow, New York. 1990
Grades: Preschool2 A friendly narration guides you through your day as a lizard:
you are camouflaged from hungry birds and hidden from insects
that become your next meal. Children enjoy seeing the natural
world from a lizards viewpoint, and learn interesting facts
about the lizards lifestyle. Return to title list.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
Harper & Row, New York. 1975
Grades: Preschool2A bored chameleon wishes it could be more like all the other
animals it sees, but soon decides it would rather just be itself.
Protective coloration (the chameleon changes color according to
the surface on which it rests) and energy (when the chameleon
is warm and full, it turns one color, when cold and hungry, it
turns another) are woven into the story, as are a discussion of
the attributes of various other animals.Return to title list.

The Rose in My Garden by Arnold Lobel; illustrated by Anita Lobel
Greenwillow Books, New York. 1984
Grades: Preschool2 Each page adds a new rhyming line to a poem as a beautiful
garden of flowers, insects, and animals grows. A surprise interaction
among the garden residents takes place at the end of the book.
Young readers will enjoy the repeated patterns in the story.Return to title list.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Philomel Books, New York. 1969
Grades: K3Follow the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as it eats
its way through a varied and very large quantity of food until,
full at last, it forms a chrysalis around itself and goes to sleep.
A good opportunity to correct the common misuse of the word cocoon
(moths emerge from cocoons), with the correct term chrysalis
for butterflies.Return to title list.

We Hide, You Seek by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
Greenwillow, New York. 1979
Grades: Preschool2Young readers, led by a bumbling rhinoceros, try to find animals
that are hidden in their natural environment. A delightful introduction
to the concept of camouflage.Return to title list.

Where Butterflies Grow by Joanne Ryder; illustrated by Lynne Cherry
Lodestar Books/E.P. Dutton, New York. 1989
Grades: K5Heres a delightful description of what it might feel
like to change from a caterpillar into a butterfly. Structure,
metamorphosis, locomotion, camouflage, and feeding behaviors are
all described from the point of view of the butterfly. Also included
are gardening tips on how to attract butterflies. This is a beautiful
book and offers unusually detailed drawings of metamorphosis.Return to title list.

Where Does the Butterfly Go When It Rains?
by May Garelick; illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Scholastic Book Services, New York. 1961
Out of print
Grades: Preschool3The child narrator describes, in simple rhyming text, how
various insects and animals might respond to rain and questions
what he doesnt understand, Where does the butterfly
go when it rains? Good model of questioning process, ending
with the idea to go out and find a butterfly and observe its behavior.
A good tie in to Session 3 where students observe butterflies
in nature.Return to title list.

Whos Hiding Here? by Yoshi
Picture Book Studio, Saxonville, Massachusetts. 1987
Grades: Preschool3 This magnificently illustrated book is about animals that
use camouflage to protect themselves. Each page has a full-color
batik-style illustration as well as a riddle that ends with the
predictable question, Whos hiding here? Two
pages of information on camouflage and mimicry are included at
the end for older readers.Return to title list.

Wild Wild Sunflower Child Anna by Nancy W. Carlstrom; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Macmillan Publishing Co., New York. 1987
Grades: Preschool1 This poetic and vividly illustrated story is about a young
childs playful adventures with nature and shows potential
butterfly habitats. Young listeners will enjoy the lively verse;
they can also recite the poem aloud.Return to title list.